Epistemic beliefs can have an important effect on teaching practices determining how teachers approach a discipline in the classroom in different contexts. The research reported on here focused on initial teacher education, assessing the pre-service social studies teachers' epistemic beliefs about history, and their ideas regarding history education. We examined the way in which the beliefs of 59 Spanish participants had evolved after an intervention focused the fostering of historical thinking and understanding. A pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental design was applied, using the Beliefs about History Questionnaire (BHQ), which was supplemented by a qualitative approach. Results indicate progression, although it was more noticeable in pre-service primary education teachers who adhered to a more nuanced vision about historical knowledge and both objectivity and subjectivity. The way that participants with different conceptions about history thought about educational aspects were also examined and discussed. Findings suggest the effectiveness of educational interventions in initial teacher training to allow pre-service teachers to understand the specificity of this discipline.

Resumo A investigação educativa tem analisado possíveis ligações entre o uso da tecnologia e o rendimento escolar a partir da introdução dos computadores nas salas de aula. Esta pesquisa apresenta uma revisão da literatura, focando a forma em que o uso e a introdução da tecnologia nas salas de aula têm sido percebidos pela investigação educativa. Por meio de uma discussão iniciada nos anos 70 e que chega até os dias de hoje, examina-se a evolução das inquietações e abordagens de cada momento histórico, avaliando a produção científica e os resultados mais relevantes na literatura. Por fim, examina-se o impacto da tecnologia educativa na motivação e envolvimento dos alunos, a fim de discutir o potencial das ferramentas digitais para além do rendimento acadêmico.

Abstract Since the introduction of computers in schools, educational research has tried to analyze potential links between the use of technology and academic achievement. This study provides a review of the literature, focusing on how the use and implementation of technology have been perceived from the perspective of educational research. Through a discussion that spans from the 1970’s to the present, we examine the main concerns and approaches in each historical period, thus providing an analysis of the scientific output and the most relevant results in the literature. Finally, the impact of educational technology on aspects such as student motivation and engagement is examined to discuss the potential of digital resources beyond academic achievement.

Resumen La investigación educativa ha analizado posibles vínculos entre el uso de la tecnología y el rendimiento escolar desde la introducción de los ordenadores en las aulas. Este estudio presenta una revisión de la literatura, focalizando la manera en la que el uso y la introducción de la tecnología en las aulas han sido percibidos por la investigación educativa. A través de una discusión que se inicia en los años 70 y que llega hasta hoy, se examina la evolución de las inquietudes y enfoques de cada momento histórico, valorando la producción científica y los resultados más relevantes en la literatura. Finalmente, se examina el impacto de la tecnología educativa en la motivación e implicación del alumnado, para discutir el potencial de las herramientas digitales más allá del rendimiento académico.

Résumé Dès le début de l’utilisation des ordinateurs dans les salles de cours, la recherche en éducation analyse les liens possibles entre l’usage de la technologie et la performance scolaire. Cette étude présente une révision de la littérature, en se concentrant sur la perception de la recherche en éducation de l’usage et de l’introduction de la technologie dans les salles de cours. Par moyen d’une discussion entamée dans les années 70 et qui subsiste jusqu’à présent on examine l’évolution des inquiétations et les approches de chaque moment historique, évaluant la production scientifique et les résultats plus importants dans la littérature. Finalement, on examine l’impact de la technologie éducative dans la motivation et engagement des élèves, dans le but de discuter le potentiel des outils numériques au-delà de la performance académique.

Abstract Addressing historical contents in the classroom is a complex procedure that requires going beyond promoting the memorization of dates, stages or the names of key figures of each historical period. The development of historical thinking, which encompasses the understanding of key concepts of this discipline, has been established in the last decades as a new paradigm for history education. This article assumes as an objective making a revision of current debates in the scientific literature about the assessment of historical thinking, both from a purely educational perspective and one linked to research in this area. After analyzing the way this debate has developed in different national contexts, the main challenges that the research community faces are introduced, examining the new theoretical models and assessment procedures. The study concludes that important advances have been developed in the last two decades, offering a discussion about some of the pending tasks for the future.

Resumen Abordar contenidos históricos en el aula es un proceso complejo que requiere ir más allá de promover la memorización de fechas, etapas o nombres de personajes clave de cada periodo de la Historia. El desarrollo del pensamiento histórico, que abarca la comprensión de conceptos clave de esta disciplina, se ha configurado en las últimas décadas como un nuevo paradigma para la educación histórica. El presente artículo asume como objetivo llevar a cabo una revisión de los debates actuales presentes en la literatura académica en torno a la evaluación del pensamiento histórico, tanto en su vertiente puramente educativa como desde el punto de vista de la investigación en el área. Tras la revisión de la manera en la que este debate se ha desarrollado en diferentes contextos nacionales, se presentan los principales retos a los que se enfrenta la comunidad investigadora, llevando a cabo un examen de los nuevos modelos teóricos y procedimientos de evaluación. El artículo concluye que se han desarrollado importantes avances en las últimas dos décadas, y ofrece una discusión sobre algunas las tareas pendientes a abordar de cara al futuro.